US trade negotiations with Asia, Europe and the Pacific, including New Zealand, may be back on track after bitterly divided US lawmakers reached a tentative compromise deal on Capitol Hill.
US Trade Representative Mike Froman (C) speaks at a press conference for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), in Sydney last year. Photo: AFP / FILE
A series of votes are underway on President Barack Obama's plans to fast-track trade talks under so-called trade promotion authority - which would give the president power to sign a trade deal without congressional authority.
Under the compromise deal, the Senate is holding a series of votes on three separate trade moves.
Two votes are on Democratic demands, including one that would crackdown on Chinese currency manipulation. The other would give the president fast-track negotiating powers.
The Obama administration is in the middle of two landmark trade negotiations - the TPP and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which involves Euriope.
The White House wants Congress to pass a fast-track bill so the president can get on with the negotiating.
But Democrats, in particular, are deeply divided over the direction of global trade talks, citing fears over the loss of US manufacturing jobs.